At the Beaujoire stadium

They raised their arms, waved angry fists, multiplied hugs, some even collapsed to the ground in relief.

Nineteenth at kick-off, the Stéphanois succeeded in their improbable mission this Saturday evening: climbing to 18th place synonymous with play-offs.

The draw in Nantes (1-1), won in pain, was enough for the happiness of the green people.

The deal was simple: ASSE needed either a win or a draw, in any case to get a better result than Metz (which collided with PSG in parallel) to climb to 18th place synonymous with play-offs.

However, the start of the match for the Greens was somewhat timid.

It was not until the quarter of an hour of play to see them finally show themselves dangerous through Bouanga.

Nantes were hardly more impressive but Ludovic Blas managed to infiltrate and Mickaël Nadé made a rookie foul.

penalty.

Transformed without hesitation by the same Blas (22nd).

1-0 for Nantes.

The few Saint-Etienne supporters daring to appear in the stadium seemed disappointed, although the rout of the Messins in Paris at the same time allowed them to believe it.

“Saint-Etienne in Ligue 2”, chambered the Nantes ultras.

Cheered up by this opening of the score, the Canaries were threatening by Merlin, Coulibaly, Kolo Muani or Blas.

And the spirit of revolt of the Stéphanois will you tell me?

Invisible on the first act.

Hamouma equalizes and it changes everything

Aware of the shortcomings, coach Pascal Dupraz brought in Romain Hamouma after returning from the locker room.

Immediately Bouanga stumbled on Lafont but, almost in stride Paul Bernardoni saved the Greens thanks to a double save on Coulibaly and Moutoussamy (48th).

Sainté had curled the correctional.

The match got a little carried away, Lafont then Bernardoni each in turn took out a huge save in front of Hamouma (62nd) and Kolo Muani (63rd).

The minutes ticked away and Saint-Etienne still lacked that goal that changes everything.

Again, Hamouma then Camara could not find the frame.

But the bad luck was over.

In the 78th, Bouanga overflowed, crossed from the left and found Hamouma at the conclusion.

Explosion of joy on the bench.

Despite a stressful end to the match, the main thing was elsewhere.

The Messins having drunk the cup, Saint-Etienne lets the Lorrains sink in Ligue 2. ASSE will therefore play its survival against Sochaux in the play-offs.

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